Incredible Self-Cleaning Dishes Could Save Thousands of Gallons of Wasted Water Each Year

Washing dishes may soon be a thing of the past thanks to an incredible new coating that makes food simply roll of your plates and bowls. It sounds too good to be true, but according to Swedish design studio Tomorrow Machine, it’s a very real solution to the wasteful (and not to mention laborious) task of washing dishes. The studio’s self-washing dishes are imbued with a special coating and designed to mimic leaves of the lotus plant, so any water or dirt simply beads up and slips right off. Instead of using up gallons of water cleaning up after a meal, simply tip the waste straight into the compost. Sounds easy, right?

Tomorrow Machine worked with researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm to develop their self-cleaning dishes. The coating is made from a wax dissolved at a high pressure and temperature that repels water, oil and dirt, says Hanna Billqvist, a designer with Tomorrow Machine. The team also claims the coating is better for the environment, as it could save a huge amount of water typically wasted when washing dishes. It also saves on the energy used to heat the water, and on the use of soap.

The designers and researchers began working on this idea when they were asked to imagine a futuristic product that could be made from tree-based cellulose by the Swedish Forest Industries Federation. While there have been several designs of late that are water-resistant and could lead to important design developments in the near future, this is certainly an appealing solution to an everyday chore.

Sounds like something I need. But I'm concerned about the effects it would have on food. Could i marinate food on it? Would it be bpa free or would chemicals leak into my food? Would it be fridge/ freezer/ or microwave safe?